A Saudi Arabian man who started an Islamic charity in Oregon has been taken off a United Nations list of people subject to sanctions for ties to al-Qaida but remains on a similar U.S. terrorist list.

The U.N. Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against al-Qaida removed Soliman al-Buthe, now a deputy minister in Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipalities, from the list today.

His attorney, Tom Nelson, said the action is vindication for al-Buthe, who is still trying to get off the U.S. list.

He still faces arrest if he returns to the United States. A federal indictment alleges he smuggled $150,000 in cash collected by Al Haramain Islamic Foundation in Ashland to Saudi Arabia to help terrorists in Chechnya. His co-defendant, Pete Seda, is serving 33 months in prison.